Railway switching and signaling apparatus.



PATENTED 113013, 1907;

W. MAGOMBER. RAILWAY SWITCHING AND SIGNALING APPARATUS.

APPLIOATION FILED MAR.15.1904.

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W.MAOOMBER. RAILWAY SWITCHING AND SIGNALING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR, 15. 1904.-

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UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM MACOMBER, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL RAILWAY SIGNAL COMPANY, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK,

RAILWAY SWITCHING AND SIGNALING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 3, 1907.

Application filed March 15. 1904:. Serial No. 198.220.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM MACOMBER, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Railway Switching and Signaling Apparatus, of which the following is a speci cation.

My invention relates to railway switching and signaling apparatus, and more particularly to such apparatus employing electricity as the motive power, constituting what is termed an all-electric system, that is to say, a system wherein the movement of switches and signals and the indications made and received are produced by electric energy mediately or immediately.

My invention is adaptable to bothrailway switching apparatus and railway signaling apparatus; and I have herein shown the same as applied to both.

The object of my invention is in operating switch and signal mechanism from a main battery or source of electric energy; (1) to obtain a direct, positive battery indication when a switch has completed its movement; (2) to prevent a false movement in the event of a cross between any wire leading'irom one pole of the battery with any wire leading to the opposite pole; (3) to reverse the movement of the controller automatically in the event of a cross carrying sufficient current to actuate any mechanism; (4) to prevent the final movement of the controller in the event of a less effective cross; (5) to make the final movement of the controller automatic through battery action; (6) to prevent a reversal of the controller by the operator after a partial movement has been made; (7) to provide a brake for the switch motor; (8) to provide the same indication for a signal and the same safeguards, and in addition thereto provide a battery indication to show when the signal has gone to the danger or normal position.

There areother special advantages in my invention which are both novel and useful, which I shall point out and claim; but the features upon which I shall found broad claims are those above mentioned.

While it is possible to perform certain functions herein described by a single battery, it will be observed that I employ in connection with each unit (71. e. any switch or signal) only two wires in addition tothe common return wire. These two wires in the case of a switch are operating and indicating and reverse in their functions with each movement of the switch. In the case of the signal, since it is moved but in one direction by electric energy, and returns by gravity, yet in the obtaining indication of the return to normal the conditions are similar to those in the case of a switch, since the direction of fiow is reversed in the two wires.

In the drawings herewith I have shown my invention in diagrammatic form, having omitted the well-known mechanical constructioris employed, since the same will be readily understood by any person skilled in the art to which the invention belongs.

Similar characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

Figure 1 is a diagram showing my invention applied to switch mechanism? Fig. 2 is a similar diagram showing my invention applied to a signal, and also a modified form of construction in connection with a switch. Fig. 3 is an elevation, and Fig. 4 is a view partlyin elevation and partly in section of one form of my pole-changing switch controller. Fig. 5 is an elevation of the modified form of pole-changing switch controller shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is an elevation of my signal dash-pot switch for securing indication when the signal goes to normal. Figs. 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 are detail elevations of my controller.

I will first describe my invention as applied to railway switching.

Referring to Fig. 1, 1, 1 and 2, 2 represent the switch motors for moving the rail switches at A and B. These motors are connected to and operate the rail switches through the ordinary systems of train gearing and the usual locking-bolts which look the switch in place after it has been moved home.

3, 4 and 3", 4 are the arms of polechanging switches which are actuated by the throw of the bar or rod moving the rail switch. Well-known means, such as a yoke, spring and trip, are interposed, whereby the throw of the pole-changing switch does not take place until the lock bolt has gone to placein other words, a spring is cooked by the switch-rail rod and released by the locking-bolt to cause the throw of the polechanging switch.

5 is a source of electric energy.

6, 7, and 6 7" are the brushes, and 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and s 9 10 11 12 13 are the contacts of the controllers.

14, 14 are the magnets of the indicating device.

15, 15 are the safety magnets, and 16 is the magnet of the cut-out to shunt the current around the safety magnets.

17, 17 are field windings, wound in reverse to the field coils 2 and 2" to produce the brake action hereafter described.

18 is the bar of the controller (see Figs. 7 to 11) which is attached at one end to the brushes 6 and 7 by a rod 84, and at its opposite end carries a handle (not shown) by Which it is moved longitudinally by the operator. In this bar 18 is a slot having a horizontal portion 74 and an upwardly inclined portion and a downwardly inclined portion 76 in whichja roller 77 travels. This roller is pivoted to a rod 78, and this rod 78 connects with a mechanical interlocker (which is a well-known mechanical device, and needs no description here) in such manner that when the roller 77 is in the portion 75 of the slot, as shown in Fig. 7, it will look all levers of units of the system conflicting with that position of the controller and the consequent position of the rail switch; and when the=roller 77 is in the portion 76 of the slot, as shown in Fig. 10, it will look all levers of units of the system conflicting with that position of the rail switch; and when the roller 77 is in any of the positions shown in Fig. 8, 9 and 11 all controllers of units of the system which might conflict with the position of the controller in either final position will be locked.

I will first describe a normal movement and a normal indication of a switch by reference to the diagram of Fig. 1.

Assume that it is desired to move the rail switch A The controller is moved so that the brush 6 bridges the contacts 9 and 10, and the brush 7 bridges the contacts 12 and 13. This closes a circuit of the battery and including the switch motor, so that current flows through wires 19, 20, contact 21, tongue 22, contact 23, wires 24, 25, safety magnets 15, wires 26, 27, 28, 29, contact 10, brush 6, contact 9, wire 30, contact 31, switch arm 3, wire 32, motor armature 1, wire 34, switch arm 4, wire 37, contact 38, wire 39, field coils 2, and wires 40, 41, 43 back to battery. This energizes the-safety magnets 15, for the purpose hereafter described, and causes the motor to move the rail switch through the interposed mechanism. This movement of the rail switch has, in the meantime, moved the lug 45 (see Fig. 3) to compress the spring 35 (the lugs 45 and 42 being actuated by the bar moving the rail switch which is not shown). The yoke 36 which is rigid upon the rod 33 is held by the locking bolt until the locking bolt is fully home. When the locking bolt is home, the yoke 36 is released, and the spring 35 throws the yoke 36 and with it the rod 33. The rod 33 is pivotally connected to the arms 3 and 4 of the pole-changing switch. This movement of the rod 33 causes the arms 3 and 4 to break connection with the contacts 31 and 44, and would immediately make connection with the contacts 38 and 46 but for my retarding mechanism, which I will now describe by reference to Figs. 3 and 4. I extend the rod 33 as shown at 47, and on to this extension are secured the collars 48 and 49. A forked arm 50 takes over the extension 47 between the collars 48 and 49. The pole-changing switch 3, 4, is provided with the intermediate contacts 51 and52 (see Fig. 1). The contact 51 is directly connected electrically with the contact 31, and the contact 52 is electrically connected with the contact 46 through the brake winding 17, but these contacts 52 and 46 may be connected directly, as shown in Fig. 2,the connection through the brake winding 17 being for the pur ose hereafter described. The collars 48 an 49 are so positioned that the initial throw of the spring 35will cause the switch arms 3 and 4 to move quickly into electrical connection with the contacts 51 and 52; but as soon as this is done, the collar 48 (or 49 if the movement is in the opposite direction) will strike the arm 50, which will retard the movement of the pole-changing switch in the following manner: The arm 50 is pivoted at 53 and carries a gear segment 54, which meshes with a pinion 55 rigidly vmounted upon a shaft 56. Mounted in free rotation upon the shaft'56 are two small but somewhat heavy flywheels 57 and 58. A ratchet 59 upon the shaft 56 forces the fiy-wheel-57 to rotate with the shaft 56 when said shaft is rotated in one direction, and a ratchet 60 similarly mounted compels the fly-wheel 58 to rotate with said shaft 56 when it is rotated in the opposite direction. Hence the inertia of the flywheel compelled to rotate with the shaft 56 will cause the arm 50 to retard the movement of the switch arms 3 and 4, and thus afford suiiicienttime for the operations now to be described.

The arms 3 and 4 having closed with contacts 51 and 52 by the initial throw of the spring 35, current will fiow from battery 5 through wires 19, 20, contact 21, tongue. 22, contact 23, wires 24, 25, magnets 15, wires 26, 27, 28, 29, contact 10, brush 6, contact 9, wire 30, contact 31, wire 61, contact 51, switch arm 3, wire 32, armature 1, wire 34, switch arm 4, contact 52, brake winding 17, contact 46, wire 62, contact 12, brush 7, contact 13, wires 63, 64, 65, indicating magnets 14, wire 66, cut-out magnet 16, and wires 67,

43 back to battery. This will energize the indicating magnets 14 and also the cut-out magnet 16; and the cut-out magnet 16 thus energized will lift the ton ue 22 away from the contacts 21 and 23 an make connection with the contact 68. This will shunt the current through wire 69, tongue 22, contact 68 and wire 99 around the safety magnets, deenergizing them and permitting the indicating magnets to perform their function about to be described and cut off the battery by moving the brush 6 out of contact with 9 and 10. Finally the spring 35 causing rotation of a fly-wheel 57 or 58 will move the switch arm 3 and 4 to full reverse, breaking contact with 51 and 52, and making contact with 38 and 46 ready for the next movement.

It will be seen that, during the period of time that the arms 3 and 4 have been in electrical connection with the contacts 51 and 52, and before the current has been cut off by the final movement of the controller, current has been cut off from the field winding 2, and

has been turned through the brake winding.

17, and thus a strong brake action has been put upon the armature 1 to overcome the continued rotation of the motor due to acquired momentum. The object of this brake winding is to dispense with the ordinary clutch mechanism between the motor and the train gearing, which throws the motor out of gear as soon as a complete movement has been made, Of course if the ordinary clutch mechanism is employed, this brake winding is not essential, and the contacts 46 and 52 may be directly connected electrically, as shown in Fig. 2.

-With a normal movement thus described,.

I will next explain the operation of the indicating and safety magnets and my controller, referring especially to Figs. 7 to 11 in connection with Fig. 1.

The indicating magnets 14 and the safety magnets 15 govern an armature 70, which carries an armature rod 73. The armature 70 is supported in its normal position as shown in Fig. 7 by springs 71 and 72, said springs permitting movement of the armature to make contact with both pairs of magnets. 1 The normal position of the armature is slightly nearer the cores of the indicating magnets 14, but at such distance, in any position, as to be Within the magnetic field of both pairs of magnets,for example, if the armature 7 O is down upon the cores of the safety magnets and the indicating magnets are energized andthe safety magnets dead, the magnetic field of the indicating magnets should sufficiently include the armature to lift it. The reason for this is, that, if the armature should stick and be held against the spring action, or other means employed to restore it to its normal position, the magnetic energy of the magnets energized should be able to supplement the other energy employed to release the armature.

The bar 18 of the controller has an irregular shaped opening cut in it, which consists of an upper horizontal portion 79, two depending lugs and 81 which have outwardly inclined edges 82 and 83, inwardly inclined edges 85 and 86 and short vertical edges 91 and 92. The lower portion of the slot or opening has the vertical edges 93 and 94, and inclined edges 95 and 96 and the horizontal portion 97. A roller 98 is pivoted to the armature rod 73 in such position that, when the armature 70 is in its normallposition and the controller is in either extreme position it will rest upon the horizontal edge of the slot above the edge 93 or 94, as the case may be. The points of the lugs 80 and 81 depend suificiently below the axis of the roller 98 when the vertical edges 91 and 92. v

With the general construction indicated, the operation will be more clearly understood if followed in connection with a switch movement. For example, to repeat the movement'above described: The bar 18 is moved to cause the brush 6 to bridge the contacts 9 and 10, and the brush 7 to bridge the contacts 12 and 13. This movement, made by the operator, will change the position of the parts, as shown in Fig. 7 to that shown in Fig. 8. This will have carried the roller 77 and the rod 78 downward so that the roller 77 will be in position next to descend the incline 76. This movement of the rod 78 will have looked all conflicting levers through the mechanical interlocker; The movement of the bar 18 will have caused the roller 98 to come in contact with the inclined edge 83 of the lug 81, and said incline will have depressed said roller 98 sufliciently to allow the point of the lug 81 to pass over it. The springs 71 and 72 will immediately elevate the roller 98 so that it will strike the vertical wall or edge 91 of the lug 80, and prevent further movement of the bar 18. This movement of the brushes 6 and 7 will close a circuit of the battery so that current will flow as above described through wires 19, 20, contact 21, tongue 22, contact 23, wires 24, 25, safety magnets 15, wires 26, 27, 28, 29, contact 10, brush 6,.contact 9, wire 30, contact 31, switch-arm 3, wire 32, armature 1, wire 34, swtch-arm 4, contact 44, wire 37, contact 38, wire 39, field coils 2, and wires 40, 41, 43 back to battery 5. This causes the movement of the switch motor, as above described, and also energizes the safety magnets 15, causing them to draw the armature 70 downwardly upon their cores. This will cause the roller 98 to move downwardly and out of contact with the vertical edge 91, as shown in Fig. 8, and cause said roller 98 to strike the inclined edge 95. Since the roller in normal position to cause the roller to strike 98 is limited to a vertical movement by bearings (not shown) its contact with the in clined edge 95 will force the bar 18 forward to the position shown in Fig. 9. In this position the brush 6 will still bridge the contacts 9 and 10.

hen the switch rail is moved and locked, as above described, the pole-changing switch will break contact with 31 and 44 and will make contact with 51 and 52. Current will then flow from battery 5 through exactly the same path above described to the contact 31, and from thence through wire 61, contact 51, switch-arm 3, wire 32, armature 1, wire 34, switch-arm 4, contact 52, brake-winding 17, contact 46, wire 62, contact 12, brush 7, corn tact 13, wires 63, 64, 65, indicating magnets 14, wire 66, cut-out magnet 16, wires 67, 43, back to battery. This energizes the indicating magnets 14 and the cut-out magnet 16. Since the safety magnets 15 are also energized and the armature has been previously drawn down upon their cores the indicating magnets 14 will not lift the armature 70 until the safety magnets 15 have been deenergized. But the circuit above described has energized the cut-out magnet 16, so that the current has been shunted around the safety magnets 15 by passing through wire 69 tongue 22 contact 68 and wire 99. The

magnets 15 thus deenergized permit the ar-' mature 70 to respond to the attraction of the indicating magnets 14, and the roller 98 is carried upwardly past the vertical edge 93 and against the inclined edge 82 of the lug 80. This forces the bar 18 still farther forward to the position shown in Fig. 10, thus completing a movement of the lever bar. This final movement has also carried the brush 6 beyondthe contacts 9 and 10, thus cutting off the battery, and has also carried the roller 77 to its final position in the downwardly inclined slot 76, thus releasing through the mechanical interlocker levers of other units not conflictin with this position of the switch.

It will thus be seen that the operator is required to make only a single movement of the lever bar, and that the final movement and the release of the mechanical interlocker is wholly automatic and beyond his control.

I will now describe a movement from the reverse position above described, back to normal.

The bar 18 is moved to the position shown in Fig. 11. This moves the roller 77 up the incline 76 and along the horizontal portion 74 to the position shown in Fig. 11. This looks up the levers of conflicting routes. It also causes the brush 6 to bridge the contacts 8 and 9 and the brush 7 to bridge the contacts 11 and 12. The roller 98 having come in contact with the vertical edge 92 of the lug 81, further movement of the bar 18 cannot occur until the safety magnets 15 are energized. The bridging of the contacts 11 and 12 by-the brush 7 closes a circuit of the battery so that current flows through wires 19, 20, contact 21, tongue 22, contact 23, wires 24, 25, safety magnets 15, wires 26, 27, 87, contact 11, brush 7, contact 12, wire 62, contact 46, switch-arm 4, wire 34, armature 1, wire 32, switch-arm 3, contact 38, Wire 39, field coils 2, wires 40, 41, 43, back to battery. This causes the movement of the switch motor and also energizes the safety magnets 15, causing them to draw down the armature 70, and causing the roller 98 to strike the incline 96, and move the bar 18 sufliciently to move the point of the lug 81 past said roller 98.

WVhen the rail switch is moved to place and locked, the spring 35 will produce the initial throw of the switch arms 3 and 4, as above described, so that the arm 3 will break contact with 38 and make contact with 51, and the arm4 will break contact with 46, and make contact with 52. This will close a circuit so that current will flow from battery to switch-arm 4, wire 34, armature 1, wire 32,

switch-arm 3, contact 51, wire 61, contact 31, wire 30, contact 9, brush 6, contact 8, Wires 88, 64, 65, indicating magnets 14, wires 66, cut-out magnets 16, wires 67, 43 back to battery. This causes the brake winding 17 to overcome the momentum of the armature 1, and also energize the indicating magnets 14 and the cut-out magnet 16. This shunts the current around the safety magnets 15, through wire 69, tongue 22, contact 68, and wire 99, deenergizing the safety magnets. Immediately the indicating magnets 14 lift the armature 70 and cause the roller 98 to strike the inclined edge 83 of the lug 81 and return the bar 18 to the position shown in Fig. 7. This breaks the battery circuit through contacts 11 and 12, and raises the roller 17 to its initial position, releasing through the mechanical interlocker other levers not conflicting therewith. Thereafter the spring 35 will carry the arms of the polechanging switch to their final position in con tact with 31 and 34.

I will now show the effect of a cross between the operating and indicating wires of a single unit of a system. For example, in the diagram of Fig. 1, for the next movement Wire 30 is the operating wire and wire 62 is the indicating wire. Suppose these wires to be crossed, as indicated by the broken line, and suppose the controller to be moved as above described, to the position shown in Fig. 8. Current will then flow from the battery 5 through wires 19, 20, contact 21, tongue 22, contact 23, wires 24, 25, safety magnets 15, wires 26, 27, 28, 29, contact 10, brush 6, contact 9, wire 30 to denergizes the safety. magnets, leaving both indicating and cut-out magnets energized, whereupon the indicating magnets 14 lift the armature and force the roller 98 against the inner inclined edge 85 of the bar 18. This forces the bar 18 back toward its initial position and breaks the circuit by drawing the brush 6 back from the contact 10. The lever is thus put out of commission until the cross is removed, because every attempt to move the lever in the direction toward reverse will result in the operation'just described and if the operator attempts to return the lever to its initial, normal position (which would unlock certain other levers through the mechanical interlocker) the roller 98 will be stopped by the vertical edge 92 of the lug 81, as shown in Fig. 11. Current will then flow from battery through wires 19, 20, contact 21, tongue 22, contact 23, wires 24, 25, safety magnets 15, wires 26, 27, 87, contact 11, brush 7, contact 12, wire 62 to cross, thence through cross to wire 30, contact 9, brush 6, contact 8, wires 88, 64, 65, indicating magnets 14, wire 66, cut-out magnet 16, wires 67, 43 back to battery. This will result in the same condition of affairs above described. The safety magnets will be cut out, and the armature 70 will be lifted by the indicating magnets 14, and the roller 98 will be raised and engage the inclined edge 86 of the lug 81, moving the bar 18 and with it the brush 7 out of electrical connection with the contact 11, thus cutting off the battery. Thus it will be seen that, in the event of a cross of sufiicient conductive power to cause the movement of any mechanism, the battery will be entirely out off automatically. In the event of a cross not of suflicient conductive strength to suf ficiently energize the indicating magnets to produce an indication, suflicient current would be carried through the cut-out magnet 16 to deenergize the safety magnet and thus prevent the roller 98 from being depressed to escape the vertical edge 91 or 92 of the lug 80 or 81, as the case may be. Thus it will be seen that any cross between the operating and indicating wire will prevent indication, and, if the cross be of sufficient strength to actuate a motor, it will break the operating circuit.

It now remains to show the effect of a cross between an operating wire of one unit with a wire of another unit leading to the opposite pole of the battery. Suppose the wire 30 to be crossed with the wire 30* and suppose the brushes 6, 7 are moved to make contact with 9, 10, and 12, 13, respectively. Current will then flow from battery 5 through wires 19, 20, contact 21, tongue 22, contact 23, wires 24, 25, safety magnets 15, wires 26, 27, 28, 29, contact 10, brush 6, contact 9, wire 30 to cross, thence through cross to wire 30" and contact 9 brush 6*, contact 8 wires 88 64 indicating magnets 14*, Wires 89, 65, indicating magnets 14, wire 66, cut-out magnet 16 and wires 67, 43, back to battery. It will thus be seen that the current coming back through the indicating wires passes through the coils of the indicating \magnets in series; and the result is precisely the same as a cross between an operating wire and an indicating wire of the same unit. 16 prevents the safety magnets 15 from releasing the bar 18, and the energizing of the magnets 14 breaks the circuit if the cross is of sufficient strength to move any mechan- 1sm.

If the cross were between the wire 30 and the wire 62*, and the brushes 6, 7 were moved to bridge 9, 10 and ,12, 13, current would then flow from the wire 62 through the cross to wire 30, contact 9, brush 6, contact 8, wires 88, 64, 65, indicating magnets 14, wire 66, cut-out magnet 16, and wires 67, 43 back to battery. This would denergize the magnets 15*, and while it would not pass through the magnets 14* to break the operating circuit, it would prevent the final movement of the brushes 6, 7 a and also produce a throw of the armature 70, which would at once indicate to the operator that a cross existed. If, however, it is desired that every indicating magnet of a system should act to reverse the controllers in the event of a metallic cross, this may be done by bringing all of the indicating wires to a common conductor, and then placing all of the indicating magnets in series in said conductor.

It will be noted that the device shown in Fig. 3 performs, substantially, the function of a dash-pot, in that it retards the movement of the pole-changing switch by employing the inertia of a fly-wheel, which is the equivalent of an ordinary dash-pot. While a dash-pot may be em loyed in connection with a signal to per orm a similar function, as I hereinafter show, such mechanism is objectionable in connection with a switch.

While the device of Fig. 3 is desirable for most purposes,- I have shown in Fig. 5 another form of construction which has its advantages. I will now describe the same by reference to Fig. 5, and by reference to the switch diagram of Fig. 2'. Pivotally attached to the switch arms 3, 4 is a rod 33'', which car- The energizing of the cut-out magnet ries a yoke 36, a spring 35*, and the lugs 42 and 45, which are identical with and perform the same function as the similar parts shown mon armature 50 in Fig. 3. The rod 33 has an extension 47*, whichis in the form of a flat bar and into which is cut a notch having shoulders 48 and 49 57 and 58 are magnets which govern a com- The notch in the bar 47 has its shoulders so positioned that when the armature 50 is drawn against the core of the magnet 58", the bar 47 may move sufliciently to make contact with the contact pieces 51 and 52, and when the armature is released andreturns to its medial position the shoulder 49 will permit the bar 47 to move sufliciently to complete the throw of the pole-changing switch; and the shoulder 48 is so positioned that when the pole changing switch is in the reverse osition to that shown in the drawing, and tie magnet 57 is energized, and the armature 50 is drawn up against its core, the bar 47 may permit the initial throw of the switch-arms to make contact with 51 and 52.

I will now trace a single movement by reference to the switch diagram of Fig. 2.

Assume the controller moved so that the brush 6 bridges the contacts 9 and 10, and the brush 7 bridges the contacts 12 and 13. Current will then flow from the battery 5 through wires 19, 20, contact 21, tongue 22, contact 23, wires 24, 25, safety magnets 15, wires 26, 27, 28, 29, contact 10, brush 6, contact 9, wire 30, magnet 58 wire 30", contact 31, switch-arm 3, wire 32, armature 1, wire 34, switch arm 4, contact 44, wire 37, contact 38, wire 39, field coils 2, and wires 40, 41, 43, back to battery. This energizes the motor to move the rail switch, and at the same time energizes the magnet 58, causing it to draw the armature 50 to the position shown in dotted outline in Fig. 5. As soon as the switch movement is complete, and the lock bolt has permitted the yoke 36 to move, the spring 35 will move the bar 47" until the shoulder 49 strikes the magnet armature 50 This movement will cause the switch-arms 3, 4, to break contact with 31 and 44, and make contact with 51 and 52. Current will then flow through the same path just above described to contact 31, and from thence will flow through wire 61, contact 51, switch-arm 3, wire 32, armature 1, Wire 34, switch-arm 4, contact 52, wire 17 contact 46, wire 62 magnet 57, wire 62, contact 12, brush 7, contact 13, wires 63, 64,

65, indicating magnets 14, wire 66, cutoutmagnet 16, and wires 67, 43, back to battery. It will be observed that this current flows through both magnets 57 and 58*; but as the armature 50 has been previously drawn into contact with the core of magnet 58 the magnet 57 being of substantially the same strength as the magnet 58 it will be unable to move the armature 50 This current has also energized the cut-out magnet 16 and deenergized the safety magnets 15, as heretofore fully described, and the indicating magnets 14 thereupon lift the armature 70, causing the roller 98 to strike the inclined edge 82 of the lug 80, and carry the brush 6 out of electrical connection with the contacts 9 and 10. This breaks the battery circuit and denergizes both of the said magnets 57 and 58". This permits the armature 50 to be moved, and the spring 35 will thereupon carry the switch arms 3, 4, to final position in contact with 38 and 46, and will at the same time move the armature 50 to its medial position ready for the next movement.

The next movement need not be described in detail, since the operation is substantially the same, the magnet 57 instead of the magnet 58 being first energized, and the shoulder 48 instead of 49 coming in contact with the armature 50 to hold the switch arms 3, 4, in contact with 51 and 52.

It will be noted that with this construction the switch arms 3, 4, are held absolutely in the medial position until after indication has been received and the circuit broken through I the controller.

I will now describe my signal apparatus by reference to the diagram of Fig. 2, and Fig. 6. 101 is the motor actuating the signal D. 102 are the field coils. 5 is a source of electric energy. 106 and 107 are brushes of a controller capable of making electrical connection with the contacts 108, 109, 110, 111, and 112, 113, 117, 118, respectively. 114 are indicating magnets, and 1.15 are safety magnets, and 16 is a cut-out magnet common to the safety magnet of both switch and signal circuits. 103 is the brush of a snap-switch, and 104 is a brake magnet. The signal D is actuated in one direction by the motor 101 through train-gearing in the usual manner. The signal returns to normal by gravity in the usual manner. It is held at reverse by means of the snap-switch 103 shunting the current through the brake magnet 104. The snap-switch 103 is arranged to break connection with the contacts 131 and 144, and make connection with the contacts 138 and 146 by a quick throw just as the signal blade has reached full reverse. turns to contact with 131 and 144 on the return of the signal to normal. The magnet 104 applies a brake shoe to a disk on the shaft of armature 101, or elsewhere conveniently situated upon the train-gearing to hold the signal blade in its reverse position. These devices are well known and need not be further described.

Referring now to Fig. 6, 151 is a rod reciprocated by the signal. Movement of the signal to reverse raises said rod 151, and movement to normal lowers it. 119 is a lever pivoted to a support 120. 121 is a lug on said support 120 to limit the movement of" said lever 119. A weight 122 is mounted adjustably onv one arm of said lever, and pivoted at the end of said arm is a piston rod 123 and a piston head 125 of a dash-pot 129. This dash-pot has the common construction of an inlet valve 133, and an outlet 135, by which the piston rod 129 may make a quick upward movement and a slow downward movement. Pivoted to the other arm of the lever 119 is a brush 116, capable of making electrical connection with the contact plate 105. The rod 151 carries a spring arm 136, which is notched at 141, to engage over the L-end 142, of the arm 119. The spring arm 136 is positioned so as to strike the L-end of the lever 119 when the rod 151 descends and swing the lever 1 19, operating the dash-pot, and the spring 136 will yield to allow the end 141 to pass the end 142 on its upward movement. The weight 122 will regulate the rapidity of the dash-pot movement. It will thus be seen that the descent of the rod 151 will raise the piston of the dash-pot, carry the brush 116 over the face of the contact plate 105 to its lower extremity (but not out of contact with it, since the notch 141 will lose its grip on the end 142 of the lever 119 before that occurs), and then the dash-pot and weight will cause the brush 116 to makea slow, sliding contact over the face of the contact plate 105. Finally this movement will break contact between the brush 116 and the plate 105, as shown in the drawings.

Having now indicated the mechanisms employed I will describe a complete movement of a signal from normal to reverse and back to normal.

To move-the signal to reverse, the controller (which is substantially the same as the controller for the switch) is moved until the vertical edge 91 of the lug 80 strikes the roller 98 of the armature 170. This causes the brush 106 to bridge the contacts 110 and 111, and the brush 107 to bridge the contacts 113 and 118. This establishes a circuit of the battery 5, including the motor 101, 102, so that current flows through wires 19, 20, contact 21, tongue 22, contact 23, wires 24, 124, safety magnets 115, wires 126, 128, contact 110, brush 106, contact 111, wires 130, 143, 132, armature 101, wire 134, field coils 102, wire 137, contact 131, brush of snapswitch 103, contact 144, and wires 140, 41, 43 back to battery. This energizes the motor and causes the movement of the signal blade through the train-gearing, and at the same time energizes the magnets 115 and depresses the roller 98 on the controller to the position shown in Fig. 9, readyf'or indication. As soon as the signal has gone to full reverse, the brush 103 of the snap-switch breaks connection with the contacts 131, 144, and makes connectionwith the contacts 138, 146. Current then flows from battery 5 through the path just described to the junction of the field coils 102 and the wire 137. It is then carried through wire 139, brake magnet 104, wire 161, contact 138, brush 103, contact 146, wires 145, 162, 150, contact 118, brush 107, contact 1 13, wire 164, indicating magnets 1 14, wires 166, 65, indicating magnets 14, wire 66, cut-out magnet 16, and wires 67, 43 back to battery. This energizes the brake magnet 104 to hold the signal at reverse. It also energizes the cut-out magnet and shunts the circuit around the safety magnets through wire 69, tongue 22, contact 68, wires 99, 27, 28 and 127. This deenergizes the safety magnets 115, and the indicating magnets 114 being energized, the roller 98 strikes the incline 82 of the lug 80 and causes the final movement of the lever bar. This final movement of the lever bar carries the brush 107 out of contact with 113 and causes it to bridge 117 and 118. This shunts the current around the indicating magnet through contact 117 and wires 153, 167, 67, 43 to battery. The reason for this shunting the current around the indicating magnets is that the circuit closing the brake magnet 104 must be maintained while other elements of the system are operated and if the current were carried in series through the indicating magnets, an attempt to move any other lever of the system would result in automatic reversal of the lever, as in the case of a cross. The movement to normal is as follows: The controller is moved until the roller 98 strikes the vertical edge 92 of the lug 81, as shown in Fig. 11. This breaks the circuit by moving the brush 106 from the contacts 110 and 111, and putting it to bridge 110 and 109. The current then flows from battery through wires 19, 20, contact 21, tongue 22, contact 23, wires 24,124, safety magnets 115, wires 126, 128, contact 110, brush 106, contact 109, wires 152, 167, 67, 43, back to battery. This energizes the safety magnets and causes the armature 170 to draw the roller 98 down against the incline 96 and draw the bar 18 sufficiently to clear the point of the lug 81,

and also to put the brush 106 in position to bridge the contacts 108 and 110, instead of 109 and 110,provided no cross exists. The brush 106 being in this position, as soon as the brush 116 makes contact with the plate 105 when the signal blade has gone to normal, current will flow from battery through wires 19, 20, contact 21, tongue 22, contact 23, wires 24, 124, safety magnets 115, wires 126, 128, contact 110, brush 106, con tact 108, wires 188, 162, 147, contact plate 105, brush 116, wires 148, 143, 149, contact 112, brush 107, contact 113, wire 164, indicating magnets 114, wires 166, 65, indicating magnets 14, wire 66, cut'- out magnet 16, and wires 67, 43 back to battery. The energizing of the cut-out magnet 16 shunts the current around the safety magnets 115 as above described, and thereupon the indicating magnets raise the armature 170, throw the roller 98 against the incline 83 of the lug 81, and move the lever 18 back to normal. This moves the brush 106 out of connection with the contact 1 10, and the battery is thus cut off. The dash-pot thereafter completes the stroke and this circuit is again broken between the brush 116 and the contact 105. This puts the controller in the normal position producing the required re lease through the mechanical interlocker.

To show the effect of a cross, suppose a cross to exist between the wire 143 of the signal, and the wire 30 of the switch. hen the controller is moved to reverse the signal so that the brush 106 bridges the contacts 110 and 111, and the brush 107 bridges the contacts 113 and 118, current will flow from battery 5 through wires 19, 20, contact 21, tongue 22, contact 23, wires 24, 124, safety magnets 115, wires 126, 128, contact 110, brush 106, contact 111, wires 130, 143, to the cross indicated by broken lines, thence through cross to wire 30, contact 9, brush 6,

contact 8, wires 88, 64, 65, indicating magnets 14, wire 66, cut-out magnet 16, wires 67, 43, back to battery. This energizes the cut-out magnet 16, causing it to shunt the current around the safety magnets 115, through wire 69, tongue 22, contact 68, wires 99, 27, 28, and 127. The safety magnets thus denergized prevent the release of the roller 98 from the vertical edge 91 of the lug 80. This should be suflicient evidence to the operator that a cross exists; but if he fails to observe it, and suflicient current flows to the signal motor to move it, as soon as the signal has gone to full reverse, current will then flow through the path last above described to the cross, and from thence on through wires 143, 132, armature 101, wire 134, field coils 102, wire 139, brake magnet .104, wire 161, contact 138, brush 103, contact 146, wires 145, 162, 150, contact 118, brush 107, contact 113, wire 164, indicating magnets 114, wires 166, 65, indicating magnets 14, wire 66, cut-out magnet 16, wires 67, 43, back to battery. This energizes the indicating magnets 114, and causes them to raise the armature, causing the roller 98 to strike the inclined edge 85 of the lug 80, and move the bar 18 back toward normal, and moving the brush 106 out of contact with 110 and 111. This breaks the battery circuit, returns the signal blade to nor mal, and locks the signal lever by caging the roller 98 between the vertical edges 91 and 92 of the lugs 80 and 81, and thus holding the rod 78 of the mechanical interlocker in position to lock up all conflicting units until the cross is removed. From this it will be evident that the cross of any active wire of a unit of the system with any wire of another unit of the system leading to the opposite pole of the battery, will in every case prevent a final movement of any lever involved in the cross. If the cross is of sufi icient strength to move a signal, the cross will automatically return the signal to normal as soon as it has gone to reverse.

While I do not wish to limit myself to the specific constructions herein shown, holding my invention to be basic in character, what I claim is 1. In a railway switching apparatus, a source of electric energy, a motor and means for moving. the rail switch, an indicating device, a controller, two wires leading from said controller to said motor, a common return wire, one of said two wires and said common capable of being included in a circuit to move the motor in one direction and the other of said two wires and said common capable of being included in a circuit to move the motor in the other direction, and means for shunting the battery current from common through said indicating device, and through said two wires, after each movement of the rail switch.

2. In a railway switching apparatus, a source of electric energy, a switch motor and mechanism for moving the rail switch, a controller, an indicating device, two wires leading from said controller to said motor, a common return wire, one of said two wires and said common capable of being included in a circuit to move the motor in one direction and the other of said two wires and said common capable of being included in a circuit to move the motor in the other direction, and means controlled by the throw of the rail switch for cutting out said common and establishing a circuit including said two wires and said indicating device with said source of energy.

3. A source of electric energy, a motor and mechanism for actuating the rail switch, a controller, an indicating device, two wires leading from controller to motor, a common wire capable of being included alternately with one of said two wires to form the operating circuits for actuating the motor in two directions, a pole-changing switch and means for causing said pole-changing switch to cut out said common and close a circuit of the battery including said two wires and said indicating device.

4. A source of electric energy, a motor and mechanism for moving the rail switch, a controller, an indicating device, a common return wire, a pole-changing switch, two wires leading from said controller to said pole-changing switch acting alternately in conjunction with said common wire to form an operating circuit, means for producing such alternate action by the movement of said pole-changing switch and the movement of said controller, a safety magnet, an indicating magnet, a cut-out magnet, means cation.

5. A source of electric energ a motor and mechanism for movlng the rail switch, an mdicating devlce, a controller, a pole-changing switch, twowires leading from controller to motor, a common returnwire said two wires cooperating alternately with said common wire to form the circuits for actuating the motor in the two directions and said two wires cooperating to form an indicating circuit after each rail switch movement when the common return is cut out, mechanical means for storing up energy by the movement of the rail-switch to cause the throw of said pole-changing switch, means for releasing said stored-up energy to cause a halfthrow of said pole-changing switch to establish the indicating circuit when a switch movement is completed and means for permitting said stored-up energy to complete the throw of said pole-changing switch after indication. I

6. A source of electric energy, a motor, and mechanism for moving the rail switch, operating and indicating wires, an indicating device, a controller, a pole-changing switch and means for actuating the same, a safety magnet in'the operating circuit, an indicating magnet in the indicating circuit, a cut-out magnet in the indicating circuit, a shunt circuit around said safety magnet governed by said cut-out magnet, means for releasing the controller through the energizing of said safety magnet, means for causing the final movement of the controller through the energizing of said indicating magnet, means for shunting the battery current through said indicating magnet and said cut-out magnet when the rail switch has completed a movement, and means for cutting off the battery after indication. Y

7. A source of electric energy, a motor and mechanism for moving the rail switch, operating and indicating wires, an indicating device, a controller, a p0le-changing switch and means for actuating the same, a safety magnet, an indicating magnet, a cut-out magnet, a shunt circuit around said safety magnet, means for shunting the operating current through said indicating wire when a rail switch movement has been completed, means for shunting the current around said safety magnet by the closing of the circuit including the indicating wire, means for causing the release of the controller by the energizing of said safety magnet, means for causing the final movement of the controller by the energizing of said indicating magnet, and means for reversing the motor connections after indication.

8. A source of electric energy, a motor and mechanism for moving the signal, operating and indicating wires, a controller, an electric switch, a brake magnet, an indicating device,

means for causing said electric switch to shunt the battery current through said brake magnet and through said indicating device when. the signal has gone to reverse position.

9. A source of electric energy, a motor and mechanism for moving the signal, operating and indicating wires, a controller, an indicating device, an electric switch, means for shunting the battery current through said brake magnet and said indicating device, and means for shunting the battery current around said indicating device.

10. A source of electric energy, a motor and mechanism for moving the signal, operating and indicating wires, a controller, an indicating device, an electric switch, a brake magnet, means for shunting the battery current through said brake magnet and said indicating device, means for cutting out said indicating device while the signal is at reverse, means for closing a circuit of the battery with said indicating device when the signal returns to normal, and means for breaking said last named circuit after the indication of return to normal has been given.

11. A source of electric energy, a motor and mechanism for moving the signal, operating and indicating wires, a controller, an indicating device, an electric switch, a brake magnet, means for shunting the battery current through said brake magnet and said indicating device, a safety magnet, means for releasing said controller through the energizing of said. safety magnet, means for causing the final movement through the energy of said indicating magnet, and means for cutting said indicating magnet out of circuit after indication and while said signal is at reverse.

12. A source of electric energy, a motor and mechanism for moving the signal, operating and indicating wires, a controller, an indicating device, a brake magnet, a safety magnet, a cut-out magnet, an electric switch for shunting the current through said brake magnet, said safety magnet and said cut-out magnet, means for releasing said controller through the action of said safety magnet, means for producing the final movement of the controller through said indicating magnet, means for shunting the. current around said indicating magnet after indication and while the signal is held at reverse by said brake magnet.

13. A source of electric energy, a motor and mechanism for moving the signal, oper ating and indicating wires, a controller, an indicating device, a brake magnet, a safety magnet, a cut-out magnet, an electric switch for shunting the current through said brake magnet, said safety magnet and said cut-out magnet, means for releasing said controller through the action of said safety magnet, means for producing the final movement of the controller through said indicating magnet, means for shunting the current around said indicating magnet after indication and while the signal is held at reverse by said brake magnet, a circuit including said safety magnet to release said controller on the return movement toward normal, a second electric switch closed by the return of the signal to normal, and means for temporarily holding said last named switch closed to establish a circuit including the battery and said indicating device, and means for breaking said last named indicating circuit after indication.

14. A source of electric energy, a motor and means for moving the rail switch, 'operating and indicating wires, a controller, means. for shunting the operating current through the indicating wire comprising,-a pole-changing switch, contacts for closing the indicating circuit upon the initial throw of said pole-changing switch through said switch, means for causing the initial throw of said switch, means for delaying the final throw of said switch until after indication,

means for causing the final throw of said switch after indication to reverse the conne'c tions of said motor.

15. A source of electric energy, a motor and means for moving the rail switch, operating and indicating wires, a controller, means for reversing the connections of said motor and for cutting out said motor and cutting in the indicating wire in circuit with the battery-comprising,a pole-changing switch and mechanism for causing the throw of said switch after'each movement of the rail switch, contacts for closing said indicating wire in circuit with said battery through said polechanging switch in its medial position, contacts for reversing the connections of said motor when said pole-changing switch is in final position, and means for causing a twothrow movement of said pole-changing switch.

16. A source of electric energy, a motor and means formoving the rail switch, operating and indicating wires, a controller, means for reversing the connections of said motor and for cutting off said motor and cutting in the indicating wire in circuit with said battery comprising,a pole-changing switch, contacts for closing the mdicating wire in circuit with the battery, a spring compressed by the movement of the rail switch and released by the rail switch mechanism when a switch movement is completed, a bar actuated by said spring, stops on said bar, a lever engaged by said stops, said stops being positioned to engage said lever when the polechanging switch has closed the circuit including the indicating wire, a gear segment on said lever, a pinion in mesh with said gear segment, a shaft rotated by said pinion, fly wheels loosely mounted on said shaft, ratchet mechanism engaging said fly wheels with said shaft, one in one direction and the other ratchet mechanism in the other direction of rotation, whereby the final throw of the polechanging-switch is retarded to hold the indicating circuit closed until indication is obtained.

17. A source of electric energy, a motor and means for moving the rail switch, operating and indicating wires, a controller, means for reversing the connections of said motor, for cutting off said motor, and closing the indicating circuit with said battery comprising,-a magnet cut into the operating wire, an armature governed by said magnet to permit the initial throw of said polechanging switch to'close the indicating cir cuit, means for cutting off the'battery after indication, and means for causing the final throw of said pole-changing switch after said magnet in said operating wire has been denergized.

18. A source of electric energy, a motor and means for moving the rail switch, operating and indicating wires, a controller, means for reversing the connections of said motor, for cutting off said motor and for closing the indicating circuit with said battery comprising,-a pole-changing switch, a magnet in each wire connecting said controller with said pole-changing switch, a common armature governed by said magnets, means for storing up energy to cause the throw of the pole-changing switch and means for calling such energy into action when the rail switch has completed a movement, a bar actuating said pole-changing switch and actuated by said stored-up energy, shoulders on said bar engaging over said common armature, and so positioned as to permit the initial throw of the polechanging switch and so as to be held by said magnet armature when one of said magnets is energized, and to permit the final throw when the battery is cut off.

19. A source of electric energy, a motor, operating and indicating wires, an indicating magnet, a safety magnet, a common armature governed by said magnets, a controller bar, a lug on said bar, an armature rod actuated by said common armature and capable of engaging said lug, a stop on said lug to engage said armature rod to prevent final movement of the controller, an incline on' said bar capable of engaging said armature rod to move said controller bar and said lug past said armature rod when said rod is engaged by said safety magnet, an incline on said lug to engage said armature rod to cause the final movement of the lever bar when said indicating ma net is energized.

20. In combination wit asource of electric energy, a motor, operating and indicating wires, an indicating magnet, a safety magnet, a cut-out magnet, means for holding the controller against final movement until after indication, and means for releasing and permitting final movement after indication comprising,a controller bar, a lug i energized and said indicating magnet is energized.

21. In combination with a source of elec tric energy, a motor, operating and indicating wires, an indicating magnet, a safety magnet,-an armature and an armature rod governed by said magnets, a controller, a controller bar, means for shunting the battery current through said indicating device, oppositely arranged lugs on said bar, stops on said lugs for holding the bar against final movement by engagement with said armature rod, inclines on said controller bar to release said bar when said safety magnet is energized, oppositely arranged inclines on said lugs to engage said armature rod to produce the final movement of the controller when said indicating magnet is energized.

22. In combination with a source of electric energy, a motor, operating and indicating wires, an indicating magnet, a safety magnet,an armature and an armature rod governed by said magnets, a controller, a controller bar, means for shunting the battery current through said indicating device,

oppositely arranged lugs on said bar, stops on said lugs for holding the bar againstfinal -movement by engagement with said armature rod, inclines on said controller bar to release said bar when saidsafety magnet is energized, oppositely arranged inclines on said lugs to engage said armature rod to produce the final movement of the controller when said indicating magnet is energized, and oppositely arranged inclines on said lugs to engage said armature rod to reverse the movement of said controller when a cross exists of sufficient strength to produce movement of any mechanism.

23. A source of electric energy, a motor, operatlng and 1nd1cat1ng Wires, an 1nd1cat1ng magnet, a safety magnet, a controller, means for shunting the operating current of the battery through said indicating device to produce a battery indication, means for preventing the final movement of the controller, means for releasing the controller automatically by the energizing of said safety magnet, and means for causing the final movement of the controller by the denergizing of the safety magnet and the energizing of the indicating magnet.

24. In combination with a source of electric energy, a motor, operating and indicating wires, a controller, a safety magnet in the operating circuit and governing said con-- troller, an indicating magnet, means for shunting the operating current through said indicating magnet to produce a battery indication means for preventing the final movement of the controller, means for releasing the controller actuated by the battery, and means for causing the final movement of the controller actuated by the battery. 7

25. A source of electric energy, a motor and mechanism for moving the rail switch,

operating and indicating wires, a controller, a pole changing switch, mechanlsm for throwing said pole-changing switch, an indicating magnet, a safety magnet, a cut-out magnet, means for shunting the battery current through said indicating magnet and said cut-out magnet by the initial throw of said pole-changing switch, means for delaying the final throw to reverse of said pole-changing switch until after indication, a controller bar, a stop on said bar to prevent final movement until the proper time and governed by said safety magnet, an incline on said bar-t0 release thesame, an armature governed by said safety magnet, a rod, a roller on said armature capable of engaging said incline to move said bar to release position, an electric switch governed by said cut-out magnet to cut out said safety magnet after a complete movement of the rail switch and release of said bar, an incline on said bar for making the final movement, an armature acting upon said rod and roller and governed by said indicating magnet, and means for causing the final throw of said pole-changingswitch after indication 26. A source of electric energy, a motor and mechanism for moving the rail switch, operating and indicating wires, a controller, a pole-changing switch, an indicating magnet, mechanism for throwing said pole changing switch, a safety magnet, a cut-out magnet, means for shunting the battery current through said indicating magnet and said ment until the proper time and governed by said safety magnet, an incline on said bar to release the same, an armature governed by said safety magnet, a rod, a roller on said armature capable of engaging said incline to move said bar to release position, an electric switch governed by said cut-out magnet to cut out said safety magnet after a complete movement of the rail switch and release of said bar, an incline on said bar for making the final movement, an armature acting upon said rod and roller and governed by said in dicatmg magnet, and means for causing the final throw of said pole-changing switch after indication, an incline on said bar adjacent to said stop and capable of being acted upon by said roller and said indicating magnet in the event of a cross to reverse the movement of said controller.

27. A source of electric energy, a motor and mechanism for moving the rail switch, operating and indicating wires, a controller, a pole changing switch, mechanism .for throwing said pole-changing switch, an indicating magnet, a safety magnet, a cut-out magnet, means for shunting the battery current through said indicating magnet and said cut-out magnet by the initial throw of said pole-changing switch, means for delaying the final throw to reverse of said pole-changing switch until after indication, a controller bar, oppositely arranged stops on said barto prevent final movement by hand and governed by said safety magnet, oppositely arranged inclines on said bar to automatically release the same through the energizing of said safety magnet, an armature governed by said safety magnet and said indicating magnet in common, a rod, a roller on said armature capable of engaging said incline to move said bar to release position, an electric switch governed by said cut-out magnet to cut out said safety magnet after a complete movement of said switch and release of said bar, oppositely arranged inclines on said bar for making the final movement automatically by the energizing of said indicating magnet and the deenergizing of said safety magnet, and means for causing the final throw of said polechanging switch after indication.

28. A source of electric energy, a motor and mechanism for moving the rail switch, operating and indicating wires, a controller, a pole changing switch, mechanism for throwing said pole changing switch, an indicating magnet, a safety magnet, a cutout magnet, means for shunting the battery current through said indicating magnet and said out out magnet by the initial throw of said pole-changing switch, means for delaying the final throw to reverse of said polechanging switch until after indication, a controller bar, oppositely arranged stops on said bar to prevent final movement by hand and governed by said safetymagnet, oppositely arranged inclines on said bar to automatically release the same through the energizing of said safety magnet, an armature governed by said safety magnet and said indicating magnet in common, a rod, a roller on said armature capable of engaging said incline to move said bar to release position, an electric switch governed by said cut-out magnet to cut out said safety magnet after a complete movement of said switch and release of said bar, oppositely arranged inclines on said bar for making the final movement automatically by the energizing of said indicating magnet and the deenergizing of said safety magnet, and means for causing the final throw of said pole-changing switch after indication, and oppositely arranged i11- clines on said bar adjacent to said stops and capable of being acted upon by said roller and said indicating magnet in the event of a cross to reverse the movement of said controller.

29. A source of electric energy, a motor and means for moving the rail switch, operating and indicating wires, a controller, a pole changing switch and means for actuating the same, means for shunting the battery current through said indicating wire after each rail switch movement and a secondary winding on the fields of said motor and forming a part of said indicating wire, whereby a brake action is applied to said motor after it has done its work to overcome the acquired momentum of the armature.

30. A combination with a source of electric energy, a motor, operating and indicating wires, a pole-changing switch, means for preventing final movement in the event of a cross, comprising,-a safety magnet, a controller, a controller bar, stops on said bar, an armature and armature rod governed by said safety magnet, an indicating magnet capable of acting upon said armature, a cutout magnet, an electric switch and a shunt circuit around said safety magnet, inclines adjacent to said stops on said bar positioned to engage said armature bar when acted upon by said indicating magnet to move the controller bar towards its initial position and to break the operating circuit.-

indicating wires, a switch for each unit for shunting the current through the indicating magnet of the unit and the cut-out magnet of the system when the said motor has completed a movement.

32. A source of electric energy, a motor for each unit, a common return wire, controllers, two wires for each unit leading from controller to motor, a wire for each unit connecting the motor to said common, said two wires cooperating alternately with said common to form the operating circuits, and said two wires cooperating independ ently of said common to form the indicating circuit, a safety magnet for each unit, a cutout magnet common to all indicating wires, means for holding the controllers against final movement until released by said safety magnets, means for cutting out said safety magnets after the action of said cut-out magnet in case of a cross, thereby preventing the release of the controllers by said safety magnets.

33. A source of electric energy, motors, a common return wire, controllers, two wires for each unit leading from controller to motor, a wire for each unit connecting the motor to said common, said two wires cosaid safety ma nets, whereby, in the event of a cross, sai safety magnets are cut out of circuit to prevent release of the controllers governing units of the system involved in the cross from making the final movement.

34. A source of electric energy, a motor and mechanism for moving the signal, a controller, operating and indicating wires, a safety magnet in the operating circuit and governing said controller, an indicating mag net, a cut-out magnet, a brake magnet, a snap-switch for shunting the battery current through said brake magnet, said indicating magnet, and said cut-out magnet when said signal has gone to reverse, means for holding said controller from making final movement until after indication, meansfor releasing said controller for indication when said snap-switch has acted, me ans for causing the final movement of said controller when said indicating magnet is energized, a circuit for shunting the current around said indicat ing magnet after indication.

35. A source of electric energy, a motor and mechanism for moving the signal, a controller, operating and indicating wires, a

safety magnet in the operating circuit and governing said controller, an indicating magnet, a cut-out magnet, a brake magnet, a snap-switch for shunting the battery current through said brake magnet, said indicatin magnet, and said cut-out magnet when said signal has gone to reverse, means for holding said controller from making final movement until after indication, means for releasing said controller for indication when said snapswitch has acted, means for causing the final movement of said controller when said indicating magnet is energized, a circuit for shunting the current around said indicating magnet after indication, and means for producing indication when the signal has gone to normal, comprising,an electric switch closed by the return of the signal to normal, and means for holding said electric switch closed pending indication, and opening the same after indication.

36. A source of electric energy, a motor and mechanism for moving the signal, operating and indicating wires, a safety magnet, an indicating magnet, a cut-out magnet, a controller, a brake magnet, a snap-switch for shunting the battery current through said brake magnet, said indicating magnet, and

said cut-out magnet when said signal has gone to reverse, means for holding said controller from making final movement until after indication, means for releasing said controller for indication when said snapswitch has acted, means for causing the final movement of said controller when said indicating magnet is energized, a circuit for shunting the current around said indicating magnet after indication, and means for detecting a cross and for producing indication when the signal goes to normal, comprising a stop for preventing final movement of the controller to normal, a circuit including said battery and said safety magnet which will release the controller unless a cross exists to switch closed by the return of the signal to normal, and means for holding said electric switch closed pending indication, and opening the same after indication.

37. In a railway switching and signaling apparatus, a source of electric energy, a motor and means for moving a rail-switch or .a signal, two controlling wires, a common Wire, an indicator, and means for shunting the current through oneor the other of the controlling wires and the common and the motor to produce the proper operation of the motor and its mechanism, and means for shunting the current through the two controlling wires and the indicator to produce the proper indication of the motor and its mechanism.

38. In a railway switching and signaling apparatus, a source of electric energy, a motor and means for moving a rail switch or a signal, two controlling wires, a common wire, an indicator, and means for shunting the current through one or the other of the controlling Wires and the common and the motor and its mechanism, means for shunting the current through the two controlling wires and the indicator to produce the proper indication of the motor and its mechanism,

' and means for rendering the indicator inop- I erative during the operation of the motor.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses. WILLIAM MACOMBER. Witnesses:

E. F. BRANCH, A. W. MAcoMBER. 

